2 California Gold Indian Fractionals - Authentic?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,227
canudigit Valued Member United States 59 Posts	Posted 04/18/2020 8:02 pm Hi everyone! These are a bit out of my realm and I know little about how to authenticate/ grade/ value so I sure need your help please. The larger of the 2 Indians is marked 1/2 dollar, and measures 15/32". That one looks to be along the lines of other certified examples I have seen, but yet hesitate to judge myself. The 2nd smaller example measures 13/32" and seems a little suspicious since I see no denomination and the earlier date examples I've seen have a Liberty Head and not an Indian. Your replies are valued - thank you! Report this Post to the Staff

John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 04/18/2020 8:07 pm No pro either,but I'm seeing a red flag. I would like to see what the pros say. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
suipakpaikungfu Pillar of the Community United States 992 Posts	Posted 04/18/2020 9:47 pm Don Kagin wrote a good (expensive) book on these. Have you been able to test them for gold purity? Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21786 Posts	Posted 04/18/2020 10:33 pm What I do know: Lots of gold plated brass jeweler's copies were made of these. I have an example taken from a dealer's $1 junk box. What I don't know: Not much else. (definitely not an expert) XRF testing may not be of much help. All that would do is show up the gold plating. What is the weight of each of them? What is the thickness? Will need a micrometer screw gauge or vernier calipers for that Report this Post to the Staff
thq Pillar of the Community United States 3343 Posts	Posted 04/18/2020 11:42 pm They both appear to be copies. The smaller one marked 1852 appears to be the size of a gold 1/4 dollar, but real ones show a denomination and are octagonal (BG799V, for comparison). The 1875 1/2 dollar is similar in details to BG930A, but real ones are octagonal instead of round. If your tokens are solid gold the pair might bring $50 for the metal, but they're probably plated brass. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire Edited by thq 04/18/2020 11:44 pm Report this Post to the Staff
nss-52 Moderator United States 54280 Posts	Posted 04/19/2020 07:58 am How did you obtain them? Report this Post to the Staff
canudigit Valued Member United States 59 Posts	Posted 04/19/2020 2:07 pm These were found in a large bunch of old mixed lower grade coins that did contain quite a bit of silver. Seeing some supposedly certified 1/2 dollar Indian fractionals for sale online I was at least hopeful on that example. Now that it's been mentioned on the gold plated brass copies I am thinking that's the case. With a 10x loupe the edges do look dark or oxidized. Also, I can't get any weight to register on my digital scale. Before I ditch these two comic-faced probable impostors I will test them just to be sure. Thanks guys! Report this Post to the Staff
thq Pillar of the Community United States 3343 Posts	Posted 04/19/2020 4:28 pm I would expect the 1/2 to weigh about 0.5 grams and the 1/4 to weigh about 0.25 grams if they were gold. But the weight of the real ones is pretty sketchy. They are always light compared to US Mint standards for the denominated amount, typically 10-20% underweight. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21786 Posts	Posted 04/19/2020 6:38 pm For accurate weight, it may? be possible to get that information from a friendly pharmacist. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,227

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